Outside the hall.
Li Tang was surrounded by disciples of the Ziyun Sect, with Lin Chen among them, currently exchanging blows with Li Tang.
Li Tangâs eyes were blood-red, his usually clear and handsome face now cold and dangerous, his body exuding a murderous aura.
The Sect Master and several Elders stood on the perimeter, watching the battle unfold without intervening.
âSenior brother! Be careful!â
A disciple yelled out loud.
The sword formation formed by the disciples was ruthlessly broken through by Li Tang, his fierce Demonic Qi charging directly towards Lin Chen.
Lin Chen was caught off guard and was struck by the Demonic Qi, falling from the sky.
Wan Luo reached out, catching Lin Chen and ensuring he landed safely on the ground.
Stabilizing himself, Lin Chen immediately greeted with a bow, âSect Master, Master, honorable Elders, he came from Reflecting-Crimes Cliff, and I took it upon myself to intercept him.â
The Sect Master nodded in agreement, showing no intent to blame him.
âAhââ
The painful screams of the disciples pierced the nerves of all present, as they saw one after another of their peers falling to the fury of the dark-aura-enveloped youth, who fought like a god of death.
âSect Master, his strengthâ¦â An Elder frowned.
How could it have suddenly increased so much?
The Sect Masterâs face was grave, âHe has developed a Heart Demon.â
âHeart Demon?â the Elder exclaimed in shock, turning to look at the youth.
They had indeed deliberately lured him into the Secret Realm, for eliminating the Demon Clan was their duty. But they had not expected that he would not only survive but also escape.
And now he had developed a Heart Demon.
Once a member of the Demon Clan develops a Heart Demon, their strength grows rapidly. If not dealt with swiftly, it could lead to disaster!
âWhat is that!â
A column of Demonic Qi shot up into the sky, forming dark clouds above, which headed straight toward them, causing the light to dim instantly.
âThatâs North Spirit Peak!â
âHow could there be such a massive amount of Demonic Qi at North Spirit Peak?â
The clouds of Demonic Qi gathered above the youth halted, as the Sect Masterâs eyes widened, âNot good! Stop him quickly!â
The Sect Master was the first to soar into the air, forming hand seals, sending waves of Spiritual Energy attacks towards the youth.
The clouds above pulsed as Demonic Qi continued to seep into the youthâs body, his eyes growing even redder.
With every bit of Demonic Qi that entered his body, his strength increased even further.
Kill these people blocking his path, kill them⦠These thoughts utterly consumed the youthâs mind.
Spiritual Energy and Demonic Qi clashed chaotically in the air, the rampant forces demolishing buildings, with screams of agony echoing between heaven and earth.
âSect Master, be careful!â Lin Chen blocked an attack on behalf of the Sect Master.
The Sect Masterâs eyes were frosty, âQuick, go check on North Spirit Peak, thereâs something there providing him with a continuous supply of Demonic Qi.â
With such a vast amount feeding his Demonic Qi, his power was growing incessantly, making it difficult to capture him.
âYes.â
Lin Chen pulled back, taking several disciples with him as he left the main peak and made for North Spirit Peak.
Seemingly noticing their intent, the youth suddenly ceased his attack on an Elder and swiftly flew towards Lin Chenâs direction.
âLi Tang!â
The Sect Master and several Elders surrounded him.
Wan Luo sternly rebuked, âLi Tang, this is the Ziyun Sect, you cannot wreak havoc here!â
The youth, silent, waved two lashes of Demonic Qi which Wan Luo blocked, his face ashen, âDo you think you alone can resist all of us?â
âEven your father could not stand against us back in the day, let alone a Half-Human Half-Demon like you!â
The youth looked at him intently, questioning deliberately, âYou knew my father.â
Wan Luo wanted to speak but was stopped by the Sect Master.
âWhere is he?â the youth asked again.
âLi Tang, stop your hand. We will tell you where your father is,â the Sect Master said.
The youth seemed to be pondering, but the murderous aura emanating from him did not lessen.
âIf you just want to know where your father is, thereâs no need for all this. We can tell you.â
While soothing him, the Sect Master gestured to several Elders, and with the tacit understanding formed through years of brotherhood, they immediately caught on.
While Li Tangâs attention was fixed on the Sect Master, they quickly formed a Formation.
The light from the Formation spread out, trapping Li Tang within it.
Li Tang did a full turn on the spot, a fiery rage brewing in his eyes, consuming what little sanity he had left.
Kill them!
Kill them!
Kill!
âCapture him!â
The murderous thoughts in Li Tangâs mind became increasingly violent. The Formation restricted his movements, and he found it difficult to fend off the incoming attacks.
Thumpâ¦
Li Tang was hit in the chest and coughed up blood.
No.
He hadnât found her yet; he couldnât die. Kill them, kill them!!
The intent to kill was heavy in Li Tangâs eyes, while Demonic Qi roiled around him, resembling a monstrous beast ready to burst forth from his body.
All Li Tang saw was red. His attacks were gradually weakening as the Formation drained too much of his strength.
Two assaults came simultaneously, one from the left and one from the right. Li Tang blocked the one on the left, but the one on the right struck him. His body swayed, and his shoulderâs fabric was rapidly soaked in fresh blood, dripping down to the ground from his fingertips.
Wan Luo suddenly left his position and moved towards Li Tang.
âWan Luo!â the Sect Master bellowed.
Confident, Wan Luo moved to capture Li Tang, ignoring the Sect Masterâs scolding.
However, as he drew near Li Tang, his limbs abruptly tensed, and a cold, dangerous sensation crawled up his spine.
Wan Luoâs limbs were suddenly stretched out in a spread-eagled position, as if bound hand and foot by someone.
Under the glow of the Formation, a woman stepped through the air and softly landed beside Li Tang, reaching out to gather him into her arms.
âChuzheng!â Wan Luoâs eyes widened: âWhat do you think youâre doing!â
Wrong!
They were inside a Formation, so how did she get in?
And what was it that bound him?
âChuzhengâ¦â Li Tang murmured weakly: âYou⦠No⦠You need to leave.â
With his last bit of reason, Li Tang pushed Chuzheng away.
Chuzhengâs grip tightened, her tone the cold one he knew well: âDonât move.â
Layers of black mist began to surface in Li Tangâs blood-red eyes.
The aura emanating from her worked like a catalyst, as the wild desires seized the last of his rational thoughts.
No⦠I mustnât hurt her⦠I canât⦠I shouldnâtâ¦
The Sect Master spoke gravely: âMiss Chuzheng, he is from the Demon Clan. What are you doing?â
Chuzheng glanced at the struggling, furious Wan Luo, then shifted her gaze to the Sect Master.
âHe cannot die.â The Good Person Card dying would be very troublesome, you pack of damn fools understand nothing!
âYou are colluding with the Demon Clan, do you realize what youâre doing?â the Sect Master said. âI know youâve lived with him for so long, you have developed some sentiments, but the Demon Clan must be eradicated, or they will endanger the entire Human Realm!â
âI know what Iâm doing, thereâs no need for you to remind me.â What does endangering the entire Human Realm have to do with her? All she needed to do was to protect the Good Person Card.
Yes! Thatâs exactly it.
But the Good Person Card is too weak!
Impervious to the Sect Masterâs fury, Chuzheng replied coldly: âHanding him over is impossible.â